Why the LivABLE Environment Conference is the Design Industry’s Must-Attend Event this Fall
By: Linda Kafka | Oct 17, 2020
Improved building practices in residential design is not only good for your health but essential to supercharge your design business.
Toronto— — The first-ever LivABLE Environment Conference takes place in a fully virtual format from October 28 to 30. This much-anticipated three-day trade event offers participants the opportunity to explore fresh perspectives and improved livability practices around residential design for people of all ages and abilities. Akin to a giant meet-and-greet in a TED-Talk format with multiple influential keynote speakers, including Canadian astronaut, Dr. Robert Thirsk and Rick Hansen Foundation Ambassador, Unstoppable Tracy, this virtual conference boasts more than 30 keynote speakers from around the globe, who delve deep in the ever-growing trends of Inclusive Design and Wellness for the Home.
Founder of the Living in Place international network, and one of Canada’s leading experts in wellness in residential design, Linda Kafka, is the driving force behind the first annual LivABLE Conference. For Kafka, the mission is simple, “I firmly believe that the homes we live in have an impact on our physical and mental health. When designed properly our spaces will adapt to us over a lifespan and support our families. It’s essential that we start designing our spaces from a functional perspective and not merely from an aesthetic one. That way we can truly live well and in place for a lifetime.”
Her vision behind the trade event was to create a hub for design professionals to share information, learn, network and be inspired. The improvements in residential building practices is a timely topic as well as a crucial one for the trades to embrace for the future health of their business. According to the International WELL Building Institute, the wellness in design real estate is already a $134-billion industry globally, and one of the fastest growing. This stat reveals pre-pandemic numbers; with more time spent in our homes during 2020, the trend is only gaining more traction. A look at accessibility and living in place design practices reveals in Canada alone, home modifications for aging is a $77-billion industry. And according to the National Association of Home Builders, by 2035, the number of U.S. households with a person living with a disability will reach more than 31 million—an increase of 76 per cent over present numbers. The exponential growth in these areas makes it imperative for the industry to become well-versed in the latest design practices and products that will define the decade.
Beyond the expert speaker sessions, there will be Round Table panel discussions on Day 3, and the opportunity to advance skill sets and knowledge as a trade professional through five education tracks, which include: Business, Design, Accessibility, Technology/Science and Wellness. ConED and CEU credits apply and all the presentations are downloadable for attendees to continue to access at their own pace.
This new virtual platform offers a greater opportunity for trade professionals from the residential sector to have access to a world-class education, expert insights, valuable content, and networking. Tickets for the three-day trade event cost $299 CAD each. For more information on the LivABLE Environment Conference, or to purchase tickets, go to livablecanada.com
Also speaking at the event are the participating brand sponsors like JennAir, Health Canada, Velux, AgeWell, Cambria, American Standard, and more. See the LivABLE website for a full list of sponsors and exhibitors who will be sharing their insights and products on the subject.
ABOUT Linda Kafka
Since 2006, Linda has been a valuable and trusted resource for the residential interior design industry. She is an advocate for Inclusive Design (also known as Universal Design) and is one of Canada’s leading experts on living in place and wellness in the home. As a Certified Living in Place Professional (CLIPP) and a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), Linda offers an unparalleled understanding of creating “forever” homes for clients of all ages. Her passion is to support, educate, and train those about the importance of creating beautiful and safe spaces that are tailored towards inclusion, accessibility, and wellness. Linda has been active within the North American/Canadian design community for over 10 years. She is a member of the Toronto Society of Architects, the Design and Decorators’ Association of Canada, the National Kitchen and Bath Association, and works frequently with BILD, ARIDO, and IDC. She also participates in and attends industry conferences and trade shows across Canada and the US.
As the founder of the Living in Place Network, an international community of professionals focus on living and aging in place, Linda is the driving force behind the LivABLE Environment Conference, an annual trade event designed to both inspire and educate design professionals. She is also the host of the LivABLE By Design podcast where she interviews global industry leaders from the built environment who share their insights and expertise with listeners. And as Director of Trade Relations for Caplan’s Appliances (a leading retailer in Toronto), she works directly with trade professionals and their clients to support their inclusive design projects. For Linda, her mission is simple: to advocate that every home be designed for a lifespan, so our spaces adapt to our changing needs regardless of age, income, size, or ability.
ABOUT LivABLE Environment Inc.
Established in 2013, the company focus was on supporting trade professionals in the design/build sector education, training, networking, product knowledge, and workshops in aging/living in the place. In 2019, the LivABLE Environment Conference was created to further expand on the platform of education and support the various industries and respective associations. Today we bring recognized industry experts together with practicing trades, so everyone can continue to learn, collaborate, and grow their business around consumers’ demand for living in place and wellness in the home. With the goal of advancing the design of residential homes, together we can improve our housing stock to meet the needs of today’s consumer. LivABLE Environment Conference is a registered trademark of LivABLE Environment Inc. based in Canada.
For Media Inquiries, Contact:
Linda Kafka
416.577.5548